Recommended Reading

[Block G Raptor]

Yeah stumbled across it in a second hand book shop ages ago and it set on my book shelf for yonks before I picked it up and got a pleasant surprise. i've the dark river if you wanna borrow it if you're up Dublin way

[jebus]

Yeah stumbled across it in a second hand book shop ages ago and it set on my book shelf for yonks before I picked it up and got a pleasant surprise. i've the dark river if you wanna borrow it if you're up Dublin way

Living up here so I might just take you up on that offer

[Block G Raptor]

I'll stick it in my bag on monday. drop us a PM if you wanna pick it up

[superfrank]

I recently finished the brilliant "Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life" by Alex Bellos.

Easily the best football book I've ever read. He didn't focus on the big leagues or the famous faces but instead followed the most interesting stories. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in football.

I've just started "Death and the Penguin" by Andrey Kurkov.

[Dodge]

I recently finished the brilliant "Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life" by Alex Bellos.

Easily the best football book I've ever read. He didn't focus on the big leagues or the famous faces but instead followed the most interesting stories. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in football.


Nice book alright. You should try the Garrincha autobiography too for more on Brazillian football

[superfrank]

Nice book alright. You should try the Garrincha autobiography too for more on Brazillian football
Thanks for the tip.

[BohsPartisan]

yipe! i've always meant to tackle it or "gravity's rainbow" after reading "crying of lot 49" - someday!



V is way more accessible than Gravity's Rainbow which is also recommended but only if you're willing to concentrate very hard. I'm currently reading his latest, Against the Day and its another fine piece of writing.

[SuperDave]

Sorry to lower the Intelligence Quotiant but just finished reading Belfast Confidential by Colin Bateman and I dont laugh out loud at books or movies often but was crying with laughter reading it.

God I love Bateman (as he is now referred to). Funniest guy ever.

i dunno... belfast confidential was not the best of his... the later books 'i predict a riot' and 'orpheus rising' would not have seen a publisher were they not bateman... murphy's law and murphy's revenge were among his best... but...

bring back dan starkey! easily the best... all of them...

and i agree with whoever said that about Brasil...

if you want a great football book read "She stood there laughing" by stephen foster... brilliantly miserable.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/She-Stood-There-Laughing-Football/dp/0743256832/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208746076&sr=8-1

[Block G Raptor]

Was Looking at a book called "One flew over the crossbar" and it looks like it could be a good read but it could be crap too. Has anyone read it? If so is it worth forking out €20 for it

[Pike B]

Have Pele's book and Maradona's. Two good reads. Mc Grath's tops them all though. That man's a legend. Greatest ever Irish player for me.. And brutally honest in his book.

[Block G Raptor]

Mc Grath's tops them all though. That man's a legend. Greatest ever Irish player for me.. And brutally honest in his book.

seconded. It was the most moving book I've ever read on any subject, the fact that it was about one of my all time heroes made it even more emotional to read.

[Pike B]

Stop it man, I'm gonna bawl.... :(

[cheifo]

I just finishd reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak-very rewarding read
Just about to read A prison Diary by a character I have always loathed-Jeffery Archer...I am open minded if nothing else.
I also bought a book called The Tomorrow Trap-"unlocking the secrets of the procastination-protection syndrome" but cant seem to get around to reading it.:)

[GavinZac]

Probably goes without saying but everyone needs to read the Hitch Hiker's Guide to The Galaxy series.

Mr L Prosser was, as they say, only human. In other words he
was a carbon-based life form descended from an ape. More
specifically he was forty, fat and shabby and worked for the local
council. Curiously enough, though he didn't know it, he was also
a direct male-line descendant of Genghis Khan, though
intervening generations and racial mixing had so juggled his
genes that he had no discernible Mongoloid characteristics, and
the only vestiges left in Mr L Prosser of his mighty ancestry were
a pronounced stoutness about the tum and a predilection for
little fur hats.

[Block G Raptor]

Ah Douglas Adams. Legend ! read Dirk Gentlys Hollistic Detective Agency as well as the Hitchhiker series Years Ago. ridiculously funny and irreverent. Described on the cover as being a :"thumping good detective-ghost-horror-whodunnit-time-travel-romantic-musical-comedy-epic"

[shakermaker1982]

I just finishd reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak-very rewarding read


I enjoyed the Book Thief. Would recommend it as well.

[Block G Raptor]

Right Lad's just finished the Paul Hill book mentioned above. anyone recommend any other good "prison Diary" or Mis-carriage of Justice type book's? I'm in the mood for more like Hill's harrowing tale

[ramsfan]

like wise i have been reading alot of andy mcnab books and that sort of genre, anyone recommend books along these lines:)

[deecay]

Cass Pennants Soul Crew

[ken foree]

okay shameless plug, my mate tod just published this, his first novel. it's about a medieval reenactor trying to save his family while struggling against the increasingly modern world around him. very funny, he jokes that he's hardcore because his book's title has TWO semicolons in it :D -

http://tinyurl.com/5ruz2u

[Wolfie]

The Drowned and the Saved - by Primo Levi

"A book of essays on life in the Nazi Vernichtungslager (extermination camps) by Italian-Jewish author and Holocaust survivor Primo Levi, drawing on his personal experience as an inmate of Auschwitz.

Whereas If This is a Man was autobiographical The Drowned and the Saved is an attempt at an analytical approach. The problem of the fallibility of memory, the techniques used by the Nazis to break the will of prisoners, the use of language in the camps and the nature of violence are all studied in a poet's style that sometimes supersedes scientific conventions".

Fascinating, humbling and moving. Bears witness to Man's inhumanity to Man.

[Block G Raptor]

The best one of the type I've read is 'Chickenhawk' by Robert Mason, an autobiographical account of a Huey pilot with the Air Cavalry. It's excellent.

Went in to Easons to get ChickenHawk yesterday and and came across what could be a real Gem on the subject. "Vietnam-An Oral History" by Christian G. Appy. I've started it this morning and It's really interesting. as the Blurb proclaims it's "an oral history of the Vietnam War from not just both-sides but all sides" It's a book verymuch in the mould of Don Mullans "Eyewitness BloodySunday "(another Highly recommended read) in that it's a collection of Eyewitness accounts taken from a diverse spread of the people who where there on the ground. everyone from American 4star Generals, Commanders, Grunts(including Oliver Stones personal account of his tour of duty), NVA and Viet-cong Generals, Commanders Grunts,SVA Generals, Commanders, Grunts, Journalists, reporters and Photographers from all over the world and native Vietnamese Peasants and political leaders from all sides. I'm really looking forward to getting into it.

[osarusan]

The Drowned and the Saved - by Primo Levi


Fascinating, humbling and moving. Bears witness to Man's inhumanity to Man.

Agreed. A truly life-changing work.

Couple it with the documentary "Shoah" (9 hours long) and you'll have more mixed emotions about the quality of humans, and humanity, than you ever had before.

[Angus]

Not a TV of Film but author.

Anybody interested in proper crime novels look up this bloke. By proper crime I don't mean the copy and paste genre of the Grisham, Connolly etc al where the hero is always a maverick but secretly admired by top brass, where he has an on - off relationship with his ex wife and every case is a tangled mix of his past present and future but can he really face himself and the horrible truth...................ldfygeqrvb;febvbnberoerw - sorry fell asleep and face hit the keyboard.

This is gritty and focussed on the criminals. The subject of the novels is Parker - the hardest b*****d you would ever meet - totally amoral, but not eveil in a psychopathic sense - killing is only an occupational hazard in the way of professional thiefdom.

Top drawer

[Block G Raptor]

Not a TV of Film but author.

Anybody interested in proper crime novels look up this bloke. By proper crime I don't mean the copy and paste genre of the Grisham, Connolly etc al where the hero is always a maverick but secretly admired by top brass, where he has an on - off relationship with his ex wife and every case is a tangled mix of his past present and future but can he really face himself and the horrible truth...................ldfygeqrvb;febvbnberoerw - sorry fell asleep and face hit the keyboard.

This is gritty and focussed on the criminals. The subject of the novels is Parker - the hardest b*****d you would ever meet - totally amoral, but not eveil in a psychopathic sense - killing is only an occupational hazard in the way of professional thiefdom.

Top drawer

POTM for the Highlighted Paragraph

[Wangball]

Anyone looking for a funny yet intelligent book can I recommend "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole, its recognized as one of the funniest books ever written, I love it....its a brilliant book about a hapless loser called Ignatius J Reilly...Brilliant stuff, he also wrote a book called "Neon Bible" (as in the Arcade Fire Album) which is a little more serious but still as good a read, the tragedy is that the books were only ever released after the author had comitted suicide, he was in despair because he thought his work would never be picked up and it was only his mother campaigning on his behalf that got the books any recognition - keep an eye out for them

[strangeirish]

An Atheist Goes Undercover to Join the Flock of Mad Pastor John Hagee(You know, the one that called the Catholic Church 'The great whore of religions)

The following is an excerpt from Matt Taibbi's new book, The Great Derangement" (Spiegel and Grau, 2008).
Here (http://www.alternet.org/rights/84043?page=1)

Interesting to say the least!

[superfrank]

I recently finished Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. It was a very good read. It's a fascinating insight into life.

[passinginterest]

I finished A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry a few weeks ago. I though it was a wonderful novel, well written, moving story, excellent characterisation, it would be hard to fault it. I was always fascinated by WW1 poetry, Wilfred Owen and the like, and it takes up similar themes on the horror of war.

I'm reading the Sherlock Holmes anthology at the moment. Finished A Study in Scarlet and in the early stages of The Sign of Four at the moment. Surprisingly enough I had never read a Holmes story before and I've been impressed so far.

[TonyD]

Sorry to lower the Intelligence Quotiant but just finished reading Belfast Confidential by Colin Bateman and I dont laugh out loud at books or movies often but was crying with laughter reading it.

God I love Bateman (as he is now referred to). Funniest guy ever.

I've read a couple of Batemans books (though not that one) In my opinion he's just a poor mans (Or womans:D) Christopher Brookmyre. Try "A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away" "Boiling A Frog" "One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night" or "The Sacred Art of Stealing" or any of his stuff really.

Oh, and to Block G Raptor, re Prison/innocentvictim type books, John Grishams "An Innocent Man " is quite good. I'm not a fan of his fiction, but this is the story of a man who spent yearws on death row for rape and murder in acase where the police pretty much ignored the obvious prime suspect and decided to pick on two basically down and outs and fit them up.

As for current reading, I'm just about to start Denis Lehanes "A Drink Before the War." His "Mystic River" is an awesome book and I highly recommend it. Even better than the Film, which isn't half bad.

[stann]

Just recently finished The Enchantress Of Florence by Salman Rushdie, and have to say I was hugely impressed. It's only the first Rushdie book I've read (I think maybe I was put off by the bad reviews of The Satanic Verses in some quarters) but I'll be looking for more now. Real magic realism stuff (a tiny bit Paolo Coelho's 'The Alchemist' meets Umberto Eco's 'The Island Of The Day Before' if that helps), the word-imagery he weaves is astonishing at times.

At the moment am re-reading Three Men In A Boat by Jerome K Jerome again, and cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone, even if you don't generally read novels. Everyone should read this at least once, it's just a wonderful little book, full of brilliantly observed and often deliciously understated humour all the way through. Certainly would be in the top handful of comic novels of all time.

[Bluebeard]

I'm reading the Sherlock Holmes anthology at the moment. Finished A Study in Scarlet and in the early stages of The Sign of Four at the moment. Surprisingly enough I had never read a Holmes story before and I've been impressed so far.

I like Doyle, though I'd only read the shorter homes stories, none of the novels. I started reading The Lost World recently - quite enjoyable.


At the moment am re-reading Three Men In A Boat by Jerome K Jerome again, and cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone, even if you don't generally read novels. Everyone should read this at least once, it's just a wonderful little book, full of brilliantly observed and often deliciously understated humour all the way through. Certainly would be in the top handful of comic novels of all time.

A favourite of mine - might take it out again after the Doyle. Bummel is much more travelogue-y, but nevertheless alright. NOt nearly in the same league though.

[cheifo]

Picked up James Freys "A million little Pieces" which has been changed to the fiction section.:D Got it and the follow up "My Friend Leonard" for a tenner.

BTW Jeffery Archers prison diaries was a surprising treat and deserved its good reviews.
I have always felt Blurs song Charmless Man must have been written about him, but fair is fair and this is an entertaining read.
He professes his admiration for the Irish on several occasians and gets a detailed insight of the Drugs in Prison situation by one of the Keanes from Limerick.:eek:

[jebus]

Picked up James Freys "A million little Pieces" which has been changed to the fiction section.:D Got it and the follow up "My Friend Leonard" for a tenner

Read 'a million little pieces' when it was still classified as non-fiction and I have to say, anyone who thought that that story had any basis in reality is a moron, yes I'm talking about you Oprah Winfrey :p

[cheifo]

Yeh I agree Jebus.All addicts have mad stories but the way this guy tidies up the chapters(I've read so far) to to reach neat conclusions screams this is makey uppy.
Its also cringing the way he writes about himself as the tough misunderstood loner when in reality he seems to be a bit of a geek.
I agree though, very funny that Oprah told the World how it made her cry.
Not sure I am going to bother with My friend Leonard.
Freys latest book is getting good reviews though.

[CraftyToePoke]

I finished A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry a few weeks ago. I though it was a wonderful novel, well written, moving story, excellent characterisation, it would be hard to fault it

id go along with that, couldnt put it down, beautifully written.

other ones ive enjoyed recently are;

Gina Arnolds, On The Road To Nirvana, not about that band specifically, but a tale of a section of the American underground music scene over several years. Enjoyable read.

Also got round to Catcher In The Rye lately too, and loved it.

Less impressive was Alex Higgins, From The Eye Of The Hurricane, though, a little less than honest at times I felt, a touch of ''poor me'' to it. Also a few typo's in it. shoddy.

[Oink]

The Catcher in the Rye is one of my favourites, if you have not read Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre, then I suggest you give it a read..... it reminds me of Catcher in the Rye a lot.

My favourite book of all time has to be Huck Finn. I have also made my way through the Discworld series of books by Terry Pratchett.

I am going to grab a copy of a few of the WWII books mentioned at the start of this thread. I don't really know why but i've gained a sudden craving for information on WWII over the last couple of weeks for no apparent reason.

[passinginterest]

I've been reading a fair bit lately, I'd recommend Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson, it's a great story about loss, growing up and getting old.

For something completely different "Watch My Back" by Geoff Thompson is an interesting book about being a doorman in Coventry in the 80's, the violence is pretty extreme, it's not the best written book ever but it's OK.

[SkStu]

The Catcher in the Rye is one of my favourites, if you have not read Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre, then I suggest you give it a read..... it reminds me of Catcher in the Rye a lot.

My favourite book of all time has to be Huck Finn. I have also made my way through the Discworld series of books by Terry Pratchett.

I am going to grab a copy of a few of the WWII books mentioned at the start of this thread. I don't really know why but i've gained a sudden craving for information on WWII over the last couple of weeks for no apparent reason.


Vernon God Little is a fantastic book. One of my all time favourites - and it also reminded me of CITR... i think 1984 is still my all time favourite.

And now that i dont HAVE to read Dickens, im actually really enjoying some of his classics.

Also, for a lighter fun read, see if you catch "The Year of Living Biblically" which i read a while back - pretty funny and true account of a guy from NY trying to live according to the literal word of the bible.

[Mr A]

Re-reading Moby Dick at the moment, great book.

[Den Perry]

Most of Irvine Welsh's stuff is great..especially "Filth". Has anybody here read it?

Do yourself a favour and buy it for yourself for CHristmas!!

[stann]

I love Irvine Welsh's stuff.
Filth is one of the best ones. The main character is just brilliantly done. The idea of the tapeworm is very clever I think. Great twist near the end too. And some finish!
I like Porno too, have to say, mainly as it's a kind of more direct follow on from Trainspotting.
Did you read Babylon Heights, his play about the dwarves on the Wizard of Oz set? Odd little book! :D

[Wolfie]

Just started reading Richard Pryors Biography - "Pryor Convictions".

Engaging, intelligent and utterly hilarious already...........................

[SkStu]

Most of Irvine Welsh's stuff is great..especially "Filth". Has anybody here read it?

Do yourself a favour and buy it for yourself for CHristmas!!

Filth is great in the sense that the main character probably has no redeeming features whatsoever. Pure, erm, filth... on the other hand i thought Porno was brilliant. And Trainspotting, the book, was also excellently written although i did find the style difficult to adapt to for a while. I think it was the first book i had read that was written as it was spoken...

Will check out Pryor Convictions next year for sure...

[bennocelt]

Filth is great in the sense that the main character probably has no redeeming features whatsoever. Pure, erm, filth... on the other hand i thought Porno was brilliant. And Trainspotting, the book, was also excellently written although i did find the style difficult to adapt to for a while. I think it was the first book i had read that was written as it was spoken...

..


Read Trainspotting well before the movie came out - wow can you imagine if they actually put all the book into the movie - try and picture the scene of the blow - job and the screw at the same time!!!:cool:

I loved the fact that Welsh bascially uses the first 2/3 chapters just so the reader can get used to the scots dialect, etc

[pineapple stu]

Just finishing off Daniel Defoe's A Journal of the Plague Year. Fascinating book about a man living in London during the 1665 plague. Defoe was five at the time, so it's based on childhood recollections, anecdotes he picked up from people who lived through it and historical records. Quite unlike anything we've ever lived through, all interspersed with some interesting stories - like a lad who fell asleep drunk in a doorway, and someone thought it was the dropping off point for bodies for collection, so he ends up waking up in the middle of the dead cart with 20 bodies dead of the plague around him about to be dumped into a pit, or people basically accusing Defoe's narrator of being a witch because he couldn't see the angel in the sky pointing a sword right at London.

Bit hard to read because it was written in 1722 and is in different language to what we're used to, but well worth the extra effort.

[cheifo]

Reading McMafia "seriously organsed crime" atm by Misha Glenny former BBC and Guardian correspondent.

Keeping me hooked despite having the most ridiculous front cover in the history of publishing.

Got good reviews and doesn't require too much effort.

[Mr A]

Ulysses S Grant- Personal Memoirs. Superb book by an incredible general.

[Rovers fan]

Re-read John Feinstein's A Good Walk Spoiled recently. Fantastic book, definitely the best I've read in the golf genre. Might get The Match by Mark Frost next, unless I can find Calcio which I managed to misplace:mad:

[passinginterest]

Recently read "The Constant Gardener", very enjoyable, but I didn't like the ending so that spoiled it for me a bit.

Reading "Catch 22" at the moment, interesting so far, unusual style that takes some getting used to.